US551226A

US551226A - Apparatus for operating vapor-launches

Info

Publication number: US551226A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1895-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 1912-12-10

Description

(No Model.)

F. W. OFELDT. APPARATUS FOR OPERATING VAPOR LAUNCHES.

Patented Dec. 10

Inventor.

Attorney.

AN DREW I! GRAHAM UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

FRANK OFELDT, OF JERSEY CITY, NElV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE MARINE VAPOR ENGINE COMPANY, OF NEIV JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR OPERATING VAPOR-LAUNCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 551,226, dated December 10, 1895.

Application filed April 20, 1894. Serial No. 508,318. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK XV. OFELDT, of Jersey City, Hudson county, and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Operating Vapor-Launches, &c., of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to apparatus for operating vapor-launches, 8m. and it consists of certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

Small launches have heretofore been operated by the employment of naphtha, which is vaporized by heat and in its expanded condition employed under pressure to operate the engine. The naphtha vapor upon being exhausted from the engine is condensed and The object of my invention is to overcome all of the defects due to the employment of naphthathat is to say, I eliminate the tendency to fire, I reduce the temperature required for maintaining a given pressure in operating the engines, and I do not require changing or replacing the vaporizable liquid.

In carrying out my invention I provide the launch at the forward end with two tanks, one of small size and containing alcohol, and the other of large size and containing a hydrocarbon oil, such as head-light oil, which is fireproof. The alcohol-tank is preferably at the bottom, so as to be adjacent to the cool surface of the keel and be protected also against the rays of the sun as its contents are more volatile than that of the oil-tank.

At a suitable location, and preferably in the returned to the tank. Aportion of the naphrear of the launch, I arrange the engine to 2o tha which is vaporized in the generator has operate the screw-propeller and the generabeen employed to heat the generator. In this tor for producing the pressure necessary to manner a single fluid has been used both to operate said engine. The alcohol is fed to generate the motive power and act as the the generator-coils by a suitable pump confuel. tinuously operated by the engine, and is 25 The great objection to the employment of quickly vaporized within the coils, assuming naphtha lies in the fact that while it has exa predetermined pressure, and operates the cellent properties for being quickly vaporengine at this pressure. The alcoholic vapor ized under pressure, it is very objectionable to after escaping from the engine is condensed have in a launch, because being highly inin a suitable condenser upon the bottom of o flammable it is liable to ready ignition, and the launch, and returns to the alcohol-tank if from any cause it should become ignited it as a fluid. It will be observed that the alcoburns with an intense heat. If it should eshol is thus in a closed circuit having no comcape upon the water it does not mix with the munication with the burner or means of heatwater and would burn upon the surface, so ing the coils, and is in no way consumed. 35 as to endanger the lives of the occupants of The headlight-oil is connected by a suitable the vessel. pipe with the vapor-generator of the burner,

Another and more important defect in the which latter is arranged below the vaporizuse of naphtha from a commercial standpoint ing-coils of the generator and adapted to prois thatnaphtha after being expanded and conduce a hydrocarbon vapor which is mixed o 40 densed a few times loses its property of ready with air and burned for the purpose of heatcxpansion and in a great measure is useless ing the generator-coils to vaporize the alcohol for for further use. In any event it is not eco contained therein. The headlight-oil is sup nomical to use it for more than about six or plied to the burner under a given pressure eight complete vaporizations. In practice it produced by an automatic pump operated by 5 45 seems to lose in time its property of becomthe engine. The headlight-oil will not burn ing a vapor under the temperature of the genif fire is suddenly applied to it. It will not erator, and for this reason and owing to the ignite if it escapes upon the water or into the lack of a sufficient naphtha supply or the liaboat. It is not as volatile as naphtha and bility of not being able to secure fresh naphtherefore has less liability to generate explo- 10o tha it becomes difficult to take long cruises in the launch.

sive gases. The alcohol is volatile at a lower temperature than naphtha and generates a higher pressure for the same heat. Itis possible to more quickly raise the necessary pressure to operate the engine, and the pressure medium is practically inexhaustible. In practice five gallons of alcohol will suffice a twenty-five foot launch for a whole year, and even then the only loss is due to, leakage. Owing to the fact that alcohol vaporizes at a lower temperature, it is evident that a given supply of oil burned in the vapor-burner will propel the launch to a greater distance than when naphtha is used both as the pressure agent and the fuel.

My improvements will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a vapor-launch embodying my improvements. Fig, 2 is an inverted plan view of same. 3 isa vertical sectional elevation of same on line 41 1-02 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is'an elevation of the pump device for the vapor-burner.

A is the boat proper, and as usually made has a seat-compartment or cock-pit Sin the middle, a tank-compartment R at the forward or bow end, and a rear compartment for the machinery.

B represents any suitable vapor-generator, preferably formed of-a series of coils.. The terminals from these coils respectively receive the alcohol from the pump and supply "apor to the engine.

H is an alcohol-tank arranged in the lower part of the compartment R at the bow of the boat, and-is provided with a sealed nozzle 7L whereby. it may be filled with alcohol when necessary.

I is an alcohol-supply pipe leading from the bottom of the alcohol-tank and passing along the lower part of the boat. This pipe I. connects with the suction side of a small alcoholpump J indicated in dotted lines and directlyoperated from the shaft E of the en,- gine C. This pump J forces the alcohol through a check-valve 3' into, a pipe 1 connecting with the coil of the generator B.

The vapor-pipe from the coils of the generator is indicated at K and supplies the vapor under pressure to the engine 0, which engine maybe of any suitable construction and adapted to operate the propeller; D through the shaft E. The exhaust-vapor from the engine 0 escapes by an exhaust-pipe it (see Fig. 2) into a condenser L arranged upon the bottom of the boat,so as to be constantly in contact with the cold water, and which produces immediate condensation of the ex; hausted vapor. The condensed vapor of alcohol leaves the condenser L by a nozzlel and thereby returns into the tank H to, be used over again. Ahand-pump J is arranged in the pipe I, so that just prior to the operation of the engine 0 the alcohol may be forced into the generator-coilsBto enable a pressure to be formed therein sulficient to startthe engine. This pump Jis provided with suitable check-valves. to. enable its proper operthe fuel for the vapor-burner.

ation, and to prevent any pressure from the generator making itself felt backward into the tank H.

F is a vapor-burner arranged below the generator-coils B and is connected with an oiltank M arranged in the compartment R above the alcohol-tank H, by means of a pipe N. The oil-tank M is provided with a sealed aperture m whereby the tank may be filled with oil from time to time. I prefer to employ in this tank a hydrocarbon oil adapted to stand the fire-test, such as headlight-oil, so that under no normal conditions could the said oil be ignited. Arranged in the pipe N is a pump 0 provided with suitable check-valves, and bythe operation of which the oil is sucked from the tank M and forced under uniform pressure intothe vapor-burner E where it is vaporized and burned with admixture of air. The nozzle f of the coil of the burner-forvaporizi-ng the oil discharges into an air-tube G, so as to suck in a sufficientquantity of air to produce perfect combustion from the orifices ofsaid. tube simultaneously heating the burner-coils to vaporize the oil and also the generator-coils B to vaporize the alcohol.

The pump 0 may be of any suitable construction, and is operated by the engine B by means of an eccentric P and spring 1). (More clearly shown in Fig. at.) In this manner the eccentric P operates the lever e to suck in the oil in the pump, and the spring 12 operates upon the lever to cause the pump to force the oil into, the vapor-burner under a given press ure. Furthermore, this device is automatic and maintains a. given flow of oil irrespective of any variations in the speed of the engine. In, this way the temperature is maintained, and consequently the pressure of the alcohol vapor in the generator-coils is also maintained uniform, and the engine therefore operates with steadiness. and without material variation in its speed. Forthese reasons there is absolute coaction between the various parts of the apparatus tomaintaill a given pressure of vapor in the generator for operating the engine by means of a source of heat separate and distinct from the vaporoperating the engine. This. is a feature of the utmost importance in vapor launches. The checkvalve- Q inthe pipe N leading to the vaporburner prevents any possibility of the oil passing from the burner backward into the pump. during the'reci-procations of its plunger. The size of the. orifices f for the escape of the vapor into the air-mixing tube G controlsthe amount of oil discharged by the pump 0, and also insures the absolute amount of pressure which may be possible in the coils B with; agiven tension of spring 1).

The alcohol which is the immediate source of; power for the engine is never consumed because it'plays no part in the generation of It is. circulated; in what may be termed an absolutelysealed circuit, and there is no lossof'alcohol except what is due to leakage. The low temperature at which alcohol may be volatilized and brought to a given pressure is peculiarly advantageous in this system as it permits, with a given amount of oil as a fuel, a greater distance to be traveled by the boat, and also enables the vapor-pressure to be more quickly produced and maintained.

By locating the alcohol-tank I-l below the oil-tank M it is protected from the suns heat, first by the tank M and its contents, and, secondly, by being located in a portion of the boat immediately in contact with the water and therefore exceedingly coo]. This is an important provision in that the high specific volatility of the alcohol renders it necessary for the proper operation of the apparatus to protect it against excessive temperature in the summertime when the suns rays are exceedingly strong.

\Vhile I prefer alcohol as the immediate source of power vapor I may employ other highly volatile substances, which may be termed equivalents therefor, such as chloroform or ether; but I prefer for practical purposes to employ the common commercial wood-alcohol which'is cheapest. It is also evident that while headlight-oil adapted to withstand the fire-test is the most desirable and more readily attainable, other forms of oil may be employed in lieu thereof.

In starting the apparatus, it is necessary to heat the vapor-burner F by some auxiliary means and this is accomplished by allowing oil to flow from a small tank T through a pipe IV controlled by a valve t into the vaporburner where it is ignited so as to give it a preliminary heating sufficient to make it selfacting in the generation of its own vapor. After this preliminary heating the valve 25 is shut oif and the apparatus continues to work automatically.

In starting up the apparatus it is also necessary to force some of the alcohol into the generator B when the pump J is at rest, and this is accomplished by means of a hand-p ump .I, the said pump forcing the alcohol through the pump J and its check-valve j. After the apparatus is in operation the pump J feeds necessary alcohol to thegenerator B and the pump J is then normally out of action.

The illustrations of apparatus for carrying out my improvements are simply illustrative of suitable apparatus adapted to the purpose, and therefore it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to any particular details thereof so long as it performs the function stated and permits the proper carrying out of my invention. I have described my invention as especially applicable to launches, but it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to that particular use, as the process and apparatus might be employed in connection with power plants in buildings or other places requiring special adaptations.

That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a vapor launch, power apparatus arranged upon the vessel and consisting of avavapor generator, in combination with a vapor burner, an engine, independent pumping devices for supplying oil to the burner and volatile fluid to the generator, a tank forholding the volatile liquid arranged near the bottom of the vessel and substantially below the water line thereof, apipe connecting said tank with the pump for supplying liquid to the generator, a tank for containing the oil arranged within the boat and above the first mentioned tank so as to shield it from the'rays of the sun, and prevent the formation of vapor therein and a pipe leading from said oil tank to the pump for supplying oil to the burner.

2. In a vapor launch, power apparatus arranged upon the vessel and consisting of a vapor generator, in combination with avapor burner, an engine, independent pumping de vices for supplying oil to the burner and volatile fluid to the generator, a tank for holding the volatile liquid arranged near the bottom of the vessel and substantially below the water line thereof, a pipe connecting said tank with the pump for supplying liquid to the generator, a tank for containing the oil arranged within the boat and above the first mentioned tank so as to shield it from the rays of the sun, and prevent the formation of vapor therein, a pipe leading from said oil tank to the pump for supplying oil to the burner, and a condenser arranged upon the outside of the boat leadingfrom the exhaust of the engine and discharging into the first mentioned or lower tank.

3. In a vapor launch, a boat having a com-' partment at its bow, a lower tank arranged at the bottom of the compartment and below the water line for containing a highly volatile fluid, an upper tank for containing oil ar ranged above the lower tank to shield it from the suns rays and prevent the formation "of vapor therein, sealed orifices for supplying fluid to the respective tanks, a vapor generator, a vapor burner, an engine receiving vapor from the generator, a pipe leading from the upper or oil tank to the vapor burner, a constant pressure pump to force the oil from the tank to the burner, a pipe leading from the lower tank to the generator, and a pump operated by the engine to force fluid from the said tank to the generator.

4:. In a vapor launch, a boat having a compartment at its bow, a lower tank arranged at the bottom of the compartment and below the water line for containing a highly volatile fluid, an upper tank for containing oil arranged above the lower tank to shield it against the rays of the sun and prevent the formation of vapor, sealed orifices for supplying fluid to the respective tanks, avapor generator, a vapor burner, an engine receiving vapor from the generator, a pipe leadingfrom the upper or oil tank to the vapor burner, a constant pressure pump to force the oil from the tank to the burner, a pipe leading from the lower tank to the generator, a pump op- IIO erated by the engine to force fluid from the said tank to the genera-tor, and a condenser interposed between the exhaust of theengine and the lowermost tank.

5. In a vapor launch, power apparatus arranged upon the vessel and comprising a vapor generator, avapor burner, an engine, and independent pumping devices for supplying oil to the burner and volatile fluid to the generator, in combination with atank for holding the volatile liquid arranged near the bottom of the vessel and substantially below the water line thereof, apipe connectingsaid tank with the pump for supplyingliquid to the-generator, a tank for containing the-oil arranged within the boat and above thefirstmentioned tank sons to shield it from the rays of the sun and prevent the formation of vapor, a pipe leading from said oil tank to the pump for supplying oil to the burner, means. for maintaining-a constant pressure on the oil pump and an independent hand pump arranged in the pipe leading from the lowerto condense the vapor flowing in said circuit,

a power pump to positively force the volatile liquid from the tank into the generator, a vapor burner having-no connection with the closed circuit, an oil tank, a pipeleadin g from the oil tank tothe vapor burner, and a constant pressure power pump for forcing; oil from the oil tank into the vapor burner, whereby the vapor of the burner is entirely independent of the vapor of the generator and i the temperature of the burner is maintained constant.

7. A power plant consisting of the combination of a vapor generator, a tank for containing volatile liquid, aclosed circuit leading from the said tank including the generator and returning to said tank, an engine interposed between the generator and the tank to receive the vapor, a condenser interposed between the eXhaust of the engine and the tankv to condense the vapor flowing in said circuit, a power pump to positively force the volatile liquid from the tank into the generator, avapor burner having no connection with the closed circuit, an oil tank, a pipe leading from the oil tank to the vapor burner, a con;- stant pressure power pump for forcing oil from the oil tank into the vapor burner whereby the Vapor of the burneris entirely independent of the vapor of the generator, and

power devices for simultaneously operating both of the pumpsone uniformly with the engine and the other intermittently to maintain the constantpressure.

8. A power plant consisting of the combination of a vapor generator, a tank for containing volatile liquid, aclosed circuit leading from the said tank including the generator and returning to said tank, an engine interposed between the generator and the tank to receive the vapor, a condenser interposed between the exhaust of the engine and the tank to condense the vapor flowing in said circuit, apower pump to positively forcethe volatile liquid from the tank into the generator, a vapor burner having no connection with the closed circuit, an oil tank, a pipe leading from the oil tank to the vapor burner, a power pump for forcing oil from the oil tank into the vapor burner whereby the Vapor of the burner'is entirely independent of the vapor of the generator, power devicesfor simultaneously operating both of thepumps, and means independent of the power devices for forcing oil into the burner to control the pressure under which the oil is delivered to the vapor burner whereby a uniform temperature may be maintained and a uniformor substantially uniform pressure produced in the generator.

9. In a vapor launch, the combination of a vapor generator, a volatile liquid tank, closed circulating supply and return circuits between the tank and the generator, an engine receiving vapor from the generator, a condenser between the exhaust of the engine and the tank and arranged upon the outside of the launch, a pump arranged in the supply circuit between the tank and the generator operated by the engine tosupply volatile fluid to the generator, a propeller operated by the engine for moving the launch through the water and thereby presentingthe condenser to fresh bodies ofcold water,,a vapor burner for-heating the generator entirely independent of said generator, an oil tank, a pipe leading from the oil tank tothe vapor burner, a pump for forcing oil from the tank to the vapor burner, power devices operated by the enginefor actuating-the pump in one direo tion to draw the oil from the oil tank, and a spring device for-operating the oil pump in the other direction for forcing the oil into the vapor burner under uniform pressure, whereby the pressure under which the vapor of the burner-is generated may be lessthan the pressure of the vapor in the generator andthe heat produced be under control of devices entirely independent of the pressure in the generator.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK \V. OFELDT. lVitnesses FRANK A, OFELDT, JOHN B; M.- SHoWELL.